# NTSB CHI03LA270: Air Tractor AT-502, N9187Z, Hudson, IL, August 15, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2003, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Hudson, IL
- Coordinates: 40.6375, -89.006942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6375&lon=-89.0069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Springfield FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA270

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to abort the takeoff.  A factor was the soybean crop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The Part 137 aerial application airplane sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a private grass airstrip when it contacted the soybean crop.  The pilot reported the airplane was loaded with 405 gallons of chemical and both wings were 3/4 full of Jet A fuel.  He reported that during takeoff roll the right wingtip and right spray boom "caught the soybeans at the end of the runway."  The airplane veered to the right and skidded sideways.  He reported extensive damage to the wings, engine, and propeller.  He reported there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 2003, at 1850 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502, N9187Z, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Hudson, Illinois.  The pilot was not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was departing on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported the airplane was loaded with 405 gallons of chemical and both wings were 3/4 full of Jet A fuel.  He reported that during takeoff roll the right wingtip and right spray boom "caught the soybeans at the end of the runway."  The airplane veered to the right and skidded sideways.  He reported extensive damage to the wings, engine, and propeller.  He reported there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9187Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9187Z), registered now, S/N 502-0223, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Air Tractor AT-502
- Registry model: [Air Tractor AT-502](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502) (registry code 0390303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 502-0223
- Airframe hours: 4746
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jeffrey Dungan
- Registered owner: Larry Neal
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 2002, 180 hours before
- Departed: 04IL, Hudson, IL
- Airport: 04IL, Private Airstrip, runway 36, 2,500 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review April 27, 2003; seat: single; flight hours: 3,699 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,530 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: BMI, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030815021639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030815021639A), Aug 15, 2003: Airtrc AT502B, Hudson, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On 08/15/2003 at about 1830 the appropriately and qualified pilot was departing the 1700 foot grass strip to the north for a routine spray application…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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